No Boundaries 988 Awareness Project

Students from Spencer High School tell us about their No Boundaries program and the projects they've worked on with LINC to help raise awareness for mental health resources and the 988 helpline.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:02

Hello, I'm Rebecca and welcome back to Spencer Hospital Health Talk. Today we have a special treat because I have two students with me from Spencer Community School's No Boundaries program. Let's introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about why you're here.

SPEAKER_03 0:17

Hello, my name is Lucas Swanson. I'm a senior at Spencer High School. I'm 18, and we're here today to introduce you to No Boundaries and what we've been doing with our projects.

SPEAKER_02 0:29

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 0:29

My name is Gage Vergos. I'm a senior and we're in the No Boundaries program. We're uh here to have have fun and talk about our projects and just let you guys know about that.

SPEAKER_02 0:42

And I'm so grateful that you both took a little time out of the day because I know that getting this time of year, it can get really busy at the school, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 0:49

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 0:50

Yeah. So thank you so much for taking time out of your day to tell us a little bit about No Boundaries. So let's get started. For those who might not be aware, what is the No Boundaries program?

SPEAKER_03 0:59

No Boundaries is a student-based program. It's offered at the Spencer High School for juniors and seniors. In Spen in No Boundaries, we work with real community partners working on real projects that affect the community in different ways. One of these projects is Link, the one that we're doing for this one. And we're just trying to help with spreading mental health awareness and behavioral health awareness. And it's been pretty fun. It's very open-ended. Whatever the partners that we choose, we do choose the partners.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

Because you get to pick a prog or a program and partners that you want to work with, something that you're interested in that you want to learn more about, correct?

SPEAKER_03 1:43

Right. We do this thing called Partner Palooza, where essentially we have a three-minute speed date with a bunch of different projects, and they come to us, they present to us what they believe is a good project for the year, and we choose based on our passions and our um interests. And it's really fun.

SPEAKER_02 2:03

That is great. Now tell me a little bit why did the two of you, and do you have one other person in your program that's helping you with the projects also? She couldn't make it today. Is that correct?

SPEAKER_03 2:14

She was unable to make it today. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 2:16

That's fair, and we're missing you, but I am so happy to hear that you were both able to be here. Now tell me a little bit, why was it that you chose to select Link as the project you wanted to spend the year working on and learning more about?

SPEAKER_00 2:28

I think, at least for me, I'm pretty sure it's very similar for him. The reason we we chose it is because spreading awareness for mental and behavioral health, it was very important to us because it it seems to be passed by a lot. And our partner had a very, a very good video as well as to as to our um tell us what was it in the video that really sold you on it?

SPEAKER_02 2:50

Can you remember?

SPEAKER_00 2:52

It was the effects, I would say. Yeah, I would say it was a lot of the effects.

SPEAKER_03 2:56

She did edit it a little bit to make you trying to be funny, and it worked.

SPEAKER_02 3:00

It worked, it was fun, and you said this is something that I want to work on. Yeah, that is awesome. I love that. Okay, now tell me a little bit, what have you learned about Link since working with Link? And have you worked mostly with Jill Barr with Link or have you worked with other people within the organization?

SPEAKER_03 3:16

Primarily it has been Jill Barr. We have had a few Link meetings that we've attended.

SPEAKER_02 3:22

Oh, so you've gotten to see like meet the full team, really.

SPEAKER_03 3:25

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 3:26

There are there are partners all over the community that help with Link. That's great.

SPEAKER_03 3:30

Yes. We uh in these meetings, we've discussed our progress on our own projects, met the Clay County Sheriff and the chief of police here in Spencer, and a few other coordinators that do a bunch of different jobs. I can't remember them all, but they're they're really important to the community. And it's honestly been a blast meeting them.

SPEAKER_02 3:51

And what are a couple of the things that you feel like you've learned throughout this year?

SPEAKER_00 3:55

I think personally I've learned a lot about community engagement. This project has helped us a lot to you know get up get out of our comfort zone and go and talk to new people about you know these ideas that a lot of people haven't heard of before. And it definitely helped, you know, some confidence. It helped us, you know, learn a little bit of networking, you know. And yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:15

And you feel like you get to make a difference.

SPEAKER_00 4:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:18

Because I am so excited to talk about some of the projects you worked on. It's not just one project, but you've done a number of projects. And you guys, what you're doing is really making a difference in the community. That has to make you so proud. So, as we lead into that, what are some of the specific projects you've worked on?

SPEAKER_03 4:35

Um, in through Link, we have a few of the projects is distributing awareness of the 988 phone number.

SPEAKER_02 4:44

Tell us a little bit about that. What have you learned about the 988 number and how can people use it? And why is it important to get that out there?

SPEAKER_00 4:51

So we have not a lot of people knew about what 988 was, you know, the mental health hotline. And we have been it's very important to get it out there because not only, you know, everyone thinks of 911. You know, everyone thinks, oh, you know, if the worst thing happens.

SPEAKER_02 5:08

If you're having an emergency, you call 911.

SPEAKER_00 5:10

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 5:11

But if you're having a mental emergency, you call 988.

SPEAKER_00 5:14

Exactly. Not not a lot of people knew about that. So it it's definitely very we're both very honored to be able to be a part of, you know, spreading that outreach and and getting that idea out there that, hey, you know, there is this, there's this this resource that you have, you know, free.

SPEAKER_02 5:32

You get to and and it doesn't matter where you're at, whether you're right here in Spencer or you're anywhere in the country, if you're in a crisis, you can call this number or you can text it.

SPEAKER_00 5:42

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's also a very, a very nice part about the numbers. Not a lot of people like to call, you know. So being able to text a number, I'm sure it can um will definitely increase people's, you know, ability to want to do so.

SPEAKER_02 5:55

So it was your goal to try to get the word out about it so more people are aware of it. What sort of research did you do to try to learn about how to do that? And what were some of the methods you came up with to get word out?

SPEAKER_03 6:07

So we actually talked a little bit with the link board itself on what are some good mental health distribution of like resources for it. And one of the main ones that we came up with is at the high school, there's this huge jumbotron in the gym that they display a rotating slideshow with a bunch of different. I'm not sure what's all on it, but there's a bunch of different images that pop up on the screen.

SPEAKER_02 6:36

And everybody sees it if they're in the gym.

SPEAKER_03 6:38

Oh, yeah, it's huge. So you could see it from the back and be able to read it clearly. And one of the things that we did was make sure that there was a 988 call text chat message on that Gemotron so that way anyone who was, you know, struggling but didn't want to reach out for help through embarrassment or any other reason, they have that ability. They can take it down on their phone and then message it later after they're done at the game or whatever they're there for. It was pretty awesome to be able to make sure that was there because I know personally that Jill Barr went and she saw it, and it's clear as day when it's displayed on the screen. It's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_02 7:26

That's really great, and that's a great way that you can help anyone in the community who's at a game or some of your classmates who maybe might be struggling and you're not even aware of it, and you've been able to help kind of connect them with a resource. Yeah, that's great.

SPEAKER_03 7:40

We've also been able to, for distributing it, we actually worked with our local QuickStar that's just north of Spencer, and they were happy to help us put some 988 stickers, little displayed stickers, in the corners of their mirrors in the bathrooms. So there is a 988 sticker in each of the bathroom corners that just says text call chat, if you need help, we're here.

SPEAKER_02 8:07

That's awesome. Along the lines of stickers, you also came up with a really fun and innovative way to get the word out through the police cars, through our Spencer Police Department, and through the sheriff's office. Tell me a little bit more about that.

SPEAKER_00 8:22

Yeah, so we we went when we went to one of our link meetings that we went to with our partners.

SPEAKER_02 8:28

Where you were meeting some of the community partners, including the sheriff and the police chief?

SPEAKER_00 8:32

Yes. Okay. Um we were presenting some of our ideas about it, you know, just getting rough feedback. And the sheriff and the chief came up with the idea of us putting 988 stickers on their police vehicles. And we were like, that's a great idea. Because you know, everyone, whenever you see a cop car, you know, it's kind of hard not to look, right?

SPEAKER_02 8:50

That's exactly right. So then especially if the lights are flashing.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

Exactly. But so we got some after communicating with both the police and the sheriff departments, we came up with designs for each. So we got a design for the sheriff vehicles, we got a design for for the old police vehicles, the new ones, like how they have the the old design, and then they got that really, you know, yeah, sleek new one. And then we also came up with a design for the or SS collisions.

SPEAKER_02 9:23

Helped you with that. Yes, right.

SPEAKER_00 9:25

They were very, very helpful during this whole process. So they came up with some designs together through through just communicating back and forth, you know. And then we also came up with uh, or they came up with a design for the school resource officer vehicle as well.

SPEAKER_02 9:40

Oh, that's wonderful. Now, I'll tell you, when we saw these and we heard about the project, Jill was kind enough to introduce us to it. We just loved the idea and asked if we could get involved also here at the hospital and if we could put them on the ambulances. And your team was so great at helping us coordinate so that we could do that as well. And so Spencer Hospital will be adding the 988 stickers to our ambulances as well as our supply chain van so that as those vehicles are out in the community anytime they're out there, if somebody sees those vehicles, we're hoping that they see, like, if you're in a crisis, you can call 988 to get help. So we just loved the idea and thank you so much for letting us get involved as well. It's really exciting.

SPEAKER_03 10:24

Yeah, we're uh excited to share it with you.

SPEAKER_02 10:27

Now tell me some of the obstacles you faced while you were working on either this project or some of the other projects through Link because I know no project goes smoothly. Every now and then you run into a hiccup here or there. So, what were a couple obstacles you faced and how did you work your way through that? That's one of the great things about the No Boundaries program, is you get to learn, like in real life, how to work through obstacles.

SPEAKER_03 10:50

I would definitely say our biggest obstacle that we face throughout this project and our other projects is a lot of communication. Getting through to each person and being able to kind of work around their schedule of communication, it it can be very difficult.

SPEAKER_02 11:05

There's a lot of waiting at times, isn't there?

SPEAKER_03 11:07

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

Okay, tell me a little bit about what part of the project surprised you the most.

SPEAKER_00 11:13

I would say how willing the community is to get involved with this. Because, you know, when you think of mental and behavioral health, a lot of times, you know, that there's some sort of stigma there, you know? Yes. And to see how inviting and willing to adapt almost everyone in the community has been for us, it it's definitely a big eye-opener to see, you know, how a community can come together.

SPEAKER_02 11:38

Yeah. Do you feel like it's helped you to see how maybe on future projects and then different things in your life, do you feel like it makes you a little more at ease to if you need help, ask for help, or if you have a great idea, think about, you know what, I bet I could work with some people to make this happen.

SPEAKER_03 11:54

Yeah, I definitely feel that way, that I could reach out to someone. And that's one of the great things about No Boundaries, is it gets you connections with people in the area? One of the main things that Ann Thorson, our coordinator for No Boundaries, that she's kind of said is in the future, if you you know leave for college and then need to come back and are struggling to find a job or something, you can reach out to those people. And since you made such a good connection with them previously, they're way more likely to help you with their connections as well, get you to where you need to be. It's I know one student a few years ago was in one of the projects and came back after college and they were able to get that connection and were able to find their job if they needed to.

SPEAKER_02 12:43

That's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_03 12:45

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:45

That's just great.

SPEAKER_00 12:46

That's very interesting.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

Okay, what are you most proud of doing with the Link project? Like what makes you smile when you think about it?

SPEAKER_00 12:56

I'm definitely very proud of the fact that you know we have accomplished the amount we have. You know, because whenever we first came in, there we were thinking maybe like two or three things and then we'd be good. But then af as time went on, we we all these new ideas came up and they came into play, and something as big as you know, as making, you know, these modifications to to city vehicles that are that people can see and you know that they can they can know that that's there, that's definitely very heartwarming.

SPEAKER_03 13:31

And I would say probably our upcoming release of these sleeves, coffee sleeves, that's something that we've been working on for a while, and I believe we're gonna release them May 4th through Starbucks.

SPEAKER_02 13:45

Now you're giving a little hint, but tell me one step further a little bit more about what the coffee sleeves are and what you hope they communicate to the community and where people might find them. We uh And I want to start, but I want to like pause for just a minute because this is also a really fun idea. You guys have been so creative at getting the word out. So I'm excited to have you tell people about it.

SPEAKER_03 14:05

We have been working with Starbucks and BlackReals Java to at some point near the start of May, which is mental health month. Yes, we will be releasing some sleeves that have some positive messages on them, a bunch of different ones, and they're just there to brighten some people's days.

SPEAKER_02 14:26

And this is another project where you worked with community partners because are is it acting? Am I correct that you're working with some of the individuals over at Apacheans to have them help like create customized, personalized messages and decorate those coffee sleeves just in an effort to put a smile on people's faces and just brighten their day?

SPEAKER_03 14:48

Yes. They we actually went and met with them just last week and they were so willing to help. And and I feel like they appreciated it too, because we also understand that they're that the elderly may not be as uh involved with that kind of thing, or they aren't turned to when they need help with that kind of thing, and they were so happy and appreciative to be able to help us with it, and they actually helped us get all of them done. It's crazy how efficient and great it was to work with them, and they were just appreciative of it.

SPEAKER_02 15:28

And how many how many of those coffee sleeves will be distributed to people and getting their coffees around Spencer?

SPEAKER_00 15:34

Yes, from from yeah, we had 300 total.

SPEAKER_02 15:38

And 300 total?

SPEAKER_00 15:40

Yeah, so 150 from each store, and it was it it took us a little to just a little bit of time to get them all written on, you know, positive messages and things like that. But uh you can tell that you know the people at occasions, they really did put time into it, and it was it was very, very nice of them.

SPEAKER_02 15:56

Awesome. Another really great project that you've done. Now, kind of as we look at wrapping up today's podcast, tell me just a little bit, what do you hope people in our community or your peers in school gain from the projects you've worked on?

SPEAKER_00 16:10

I hope that people, you know, can come together and understand that you know mental health is as long as as well as behavioral health, it's it's it's something that you know everyone has you know experienced something with. And if we can all you know come together and understand that, you know, there's something that everyone can deal with, then everyone can also be there for each other and it can definitely help as a community.

SPEAKER_02 16:35

And if you need help, help is available.

SPEAKER_00 16:37

Exactly. Yeah, not it.

SPEAKER_02 16:39

Yeah, that's awesome. Do you have anything to add?

SPEAKER_03 16:41

I think I would just hope that everybody makes sure that they're keeping positive because no one knows what another person is going through. And the more that we can stay positive and help each other, the less we may need to use those resources, which is for the better. But having them available is also another major thing that we need to just make sure people understand. That's we have resources available if you need help.

SPEAKER_02 17:06

That is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. Thank you so much for telling us a little bit about your projects. But I think even more, thank you so much for your interest in Link and your willingness to help get the word out and to help our community because I really appreciate it. And it's been such a delight getting to know both of you. Thanks so much.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

Yeah, thank you for having us. It was a great experience to be here and you know, be able to talk about all of those things.

SPEAKER_02 17:30

That's awesome. And tune in again to learn a little bit more about what we have happening here at Spencer Hospital. And also, if you'd like to learn more about Link or any of these projects, you can visit our website at SpencerHospital.org. Bye, everyone. I'm with Jill Barr, navigation coordinator with Link. And Jill, thank you so much for taking some time and really thank you for working with these great students to help us get the word out about 988 and some other really great programs. But I just would like to take a moment, tell us a little bit about what Link is and how it helps the community.

SPEAKER_01 18:04

Yeah, so Link was actually, we're in our fourth year now, and was created to be, we serve as kind of the table for providers in our community to gather around. We set the table for communication between providers so we can ultimately provide the best care together for our community. So being able to communicate back and forth, but we also do a little bit of community outreach as well. We have different community partners that are all making up our link advisory board. And a part, one of our partners is the school. And so that's kind of how we got involved with the No Boundaries program. And I'm so excited. The students have done such a wonderful job of being a part of the projects, coming up with the projects, you know, how it kind of evolved from one thing into the next. And it kind of kept getting a little bit bigger and bigger and more involved. And they were there for it.

SPEAKER_02 19:02

They rolled with it.

SPEAKER_01 19:03

Yes, and they did so great. And the mission of Link is creating hope, health, and wellness through community collaboration. And I think through these projects and the different initiatives that we do, we're doing just that in the community.

SPEAKER_02 19:17

And I'm putting you a little bit on the spot, but can you list off some of the organizations that you help bring together so that everyone knows what everyone else is doing, they know the resources that are available. And when someone needs help, they can all help get people to the right resources because our community is so fortunate. We really have so many mental health resources available. But if you don't know, where do you even begin? And so often you can get stuck in your own silo. And so the beauty of Link is that you bring everybody together. Like you said, you bring them together on that table. So who are some of the organizations that you work with?

SPEAKER_01 19:55

So we work with in our community, obviously, the hospital has been a great supporter of the LINC program. And we also work with law enforcement with both our PD and our sheriff's department. We work closely now that the state with their behavioral health system, they have the administrative service organization, which is Iowa Primary Care Association. So we have representatives from the district leader to the lead system navigator that help on the Link Advisory Committee. We have various partners, including Seasons Center and Rosecrans Jackson Centers, Lutheran Services in Iowa. We also have our school. We just we have a wealth of partners and also public health because mental health and physical health, they're all intertwined together. It's just health. And so we look at a lot of partners with social determinants of health as well, you know, food insecurity, housing. It would take a long time to name all of them. That's okay. That's it. You know, kind of in that social services circle or those that provide help for others in the community. We all we all work together because they do, they all intersect all the time.

SPEAKER_02 21:04

Now, Jill, if somebody wants to learn more about Link and some of the organizations you work with and the services you provide and and how you're linking the different organizations together, how can they learn more about what you do and what Link does?

SPEAKER_01 21:19

I would say the best would just be to reach out to me and I'd be happy to chat with you directly. It is Jill.bar at spenserhospital.org. We also have a resource directory for Clay County that lists a lot of our providers, what they do, and that is your link, linc.org, that they can find out more information as well.

SPEAKER_02 21:41

That's awesome. Thanks so much, Jill.

SPEAKER_01 21:42

You're welcome.